Which court decided it?

European Court of Human Rights in 1996. Neutral citation: (1996) 22 EHRR 123.

Why does it matter for UK journalists?

Journalistic source protection is essential to press freedom under Article 10 ECHR. Compelling a journalist to disclose a source requires an overriding requirement in the public interest. Interference must be proportionate to the legitimate aim.

Goodwin v United Kingdom

(1996) 22 EHRR 123 — European Court of Human Rights, 1996

Last reviewed: 14 July 2026Next review due: 14 January 2027

What the court held

The European Court of Human Rights held that ordering a journalist to disclose the source of leaked confidential information breached Article 10 ECHR. Established that source protection is a "basic condition" of press freedom.

Key rulings

Journalistic source protection is essential to press freedom under Article 10 ECHR.
Compelling a journalist to disclose a source requires an overriding requirement in the public interest.
Interference must be proportionate to the legitimate aim.

Topics

Source protectionArticle 10 ECHRecthr

Acts cited

Contempt of Court Act 1981
European Convention on Human Rights

Authoritative source

Read the full judgment on HUDOC (European Court of Human Rights):

https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-57974

Alternative: https://www.bailii.org/eu/cases/ECHR/1996/16.html

Related landmark cases

Landmark caseFinancial Times Ltd and Others v United Kingdom (2010) 50 EHRR 46Read →Landmark caseAshdown v Telegraph Group Ltd [2001] EWCA Civ 1142Read →Landmark caseIn re Guardian News and Media Ltd [2010] UKSC 1Read →Landmark caseKennedy v Charity Commission [2014] UKSC 20Read →

Case summaries are drafted by UK JournoHub Editorial for practising UK journalists. They are not legal advice. Always consult primary sources and, for high-risk stories, take specialist legal advice.